Accessory component for piping

ABSTRACT

An accessory component for piping, such as a valve, filter or the like, comprising a hollow body that can be connected to sections of piping and is provided with elements for coupling the component to a supporting structure, the coupling elements being formed on at least one outer wall of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory component forpiping, such as a valve, filter or the like.

[0002] Accessory components of the kind of flow control and adjustmentelements, such as valves or cocks, or of the kind of purificationdevices, such as filters, are known which are inserted along the rigidor flexible piping of hydraulic systems such as e.g. irrigation plantsand systems for spreading fertilizers and the like.

[0003] Each component comprises a hollow body that is connected to twoor more piping segments.

[0004] In many applications it is necessary to fix and/or support suchauxiliary components onto supporting structures (walls, frames ofmachines or the like); one might consider, for example, the cases inwhich at least some segments of piping do not rest on a continuoussupporting surface (ground or machine frames) but are hung or suspendedfrom supporting structures arranged proximate to them, or the cases inwhich segments of flexible pipes can move and be maneuvered so that theycan be variously orientated and positioned.

[0005] In the case of rigid piping, such components are usually fixedand supported by the piping segments to which they are connected.

[0006] In the case of flexible piping, the components are fixed to thesupporting structures from which the piping segments to which they areconnected are hung or suspended; flexible piping in fact cannot bear theweight of such components.

[0007] For example, in the case of agricultural irrigation with a mobileapparatus carried by a tractor and with flexible piping, the components(valves, cocks) are fixed to the chassis of the tractor.

[0008] Known components commonly do not have devices for fixing to thesupporting structures; they are anchored by means of coupling plates andauxiliary screw means that users provide and install on their own and ina makeshift manner.

[0009] The users, after providing the coupling plates and screw means,must form holes or coupling points on the body of the component and onthe corresponding coupling plate so that they mate, and finally mustconnect to each other the component to be fixed, the correspondingcoupling plate, and the supporting structure.

[0010] These operations are long and labor-intensive and often theresulting fixings are uncertain and unreliable, while the unintentionalexecution on the part of users of incorrect maneuvers or tampering ofthe component to be fixed can compromise the correct functionalityand/or tightness of the component.

[0011] Components are also known on the body of which there are bossesin which nuts are inserted, the stems of such screw means and componentsprovided with auxiliary fixing feet being clamped therein.

[0012] In these last cases, the considerable space occupation of thesupporting structures and of the components to be fixed reduces thespace available to perform and check the fixing operations, whichaccordingly are awkward, labor-intensive and inaccurate.

[0013] Moreover, it is noted that if an auxiliary component fixed to asupporting structure needs to be replaced with another one of adifferent type or size, the fixing of such component generally requiresthe adoption of another coupling plate and the provision of additionalholes or coupling points, since it is highly unlikely that the ones ofthe previous component can be reused.

[0014] These known kinds of accessory components for piping are notdevoid of drawbacks, including the fact that they are difficult toanchor to supporting structures, they cause the operations for fixingthem performed by users to be disadvantageously long, labor-intensiveand highly complicated, they do not allow to provide precise and safefixings, they do not allow to use existing coupling holes or points, andthey entail the risk of losing functionality or tightness due toinvoluntary tampering on the part of the users during said fixingoperations.

[0015] Known types of auxiliary component provided with fixing elements(studs or feet) further have disadvantageously high production costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above noteddrawbacks of known types of accessory component by providing anaccessory component for piping, such as a valve, filter or the like,that has low production costs, can be easily anchored to supportingstructures, and allows to simplify, facilitate and speed up the fixingoperations performed by users and ensure safe and accurate fixings.

[0017] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to providean accessory component for piping, such as a valve, filter or the like,which has a functionality and tightness that cannot be altered by thefixing operations performed by users and allows to use coupling pointsor holes already provided on the supporting structures.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to achieve the aboveaim and object with a structure that is simple, relatively easy toprovide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and relativelylow in cost.

[0019] This aim and these and other objects which will become betterapparent hereinafter are all achieved by the present accessory componentfor piping, such as a valve, filter or the like, of the type thatcomprises a hollow body that can be connected to sections of piping,characterized in that means for coupling said component to a supportingstructure are formed on at least one outer wall of said body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the present inventionwill become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferredbut not exclusive embodiment of an accessory component for piping, suchas a valve, filter or the like, illustrated only by way ofnon-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory component for piping,such as a ball valve, according to the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a partially sectional bottom view, taken along the lineII-II shown in the subsequent FIG. 3, of the body of the component ofFIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a partially sectional front view, taken along the lineIII-III shown in the subsequent FIG. 4, of the body of the component ofFIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a sectional side view, taken along the line IV-IV, ofthe body of FIG. 3;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the body of the component of FIG.1, with the coupling means directed upward;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body of an accessory componentfor piping, such as a filter, according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generallydesignates an accessory component for piping, such as a valve, filter orthe like.

[0028] In FIGS. 1 to 5, the component 1 is constituted by a ball valve;the component 1 can be constituted by a valve of a different type, afilter, a cock, or the like.

[0029] The component 1 comprises a hollow body 2, which is constitutedby a tubular portion 3 whose cylindrical internal cavity 4 forms theseat of a ball-type flow control element rigidly coupled to an actuationstem; the flow control element and the stem are not shown, since theyare of a conventional type.

[0030] In the wall of the tubular portion 3 there is a through hole 5that accommodates the actuation stem so that it rotates about its ownlongitudinal axis; the stem has an end that extends into the cavity 4 inorder to rigidly couple to the flow control element and an opposite endthat protrudes out of the hole 5 to couple itself rigidly to anactuation lever 6.

[0031] On the upper rim of the hole 5 there are two protruding teeth 7that are diametrically opposite one another and have an annularsector-like transverse cross-section; the teeth 7 interfere withcontrast elements formed inside a collar 8 provided at the base of thelever 6 in order to delimit the maximum angle of rotation of the lever 6and therefore to determine the two extreme configurations of the flowcontrol element.

[0032] The body 2 is inserted between two segments 9 and 10 of pipesthat are coaxial to the cavity 4; the two segments 9 and 10 areconnected to the two mutually opposite open ends of the body 2 by meansof respective connecting sleeves 11 and 12, which are both fixed to thebody 2 by means of four locking bolts 13 that pass through the body 2.

[0033] On the outer lateral surface of the tubular portion 3 there areprovided four centrifugal radial lobes 14 that are arrangeddiametrically mutually opposite in pairs and lie along the entire lengthof the tubular portion 3; each lobe 14 is crossed longitudinally by athrough hole 15, in which the stem of one of the four locking bolts 13is inserted in order to fix the two sleeves 11 and 12 to the oppositeends of the body 2.

[0034] The body 2 further comprises means 16 for coupling the component1 to a supporting structure 17 that is constituted for example by thechassis of a tractor or by a wall or the like.

[0035] The coupling means 16 are formed on at least one outer lateralwall of the body 2 and are constituted by two elongated slots 18 thatare arranged parallel to each other and side by side; the heads of twoscrews 19 are inserted in each one of the slots 18 so that they canslide along such slot.

[0036] The stems of the screws 19 protrude out of the slots 18 in orderto be inserted in corresponding through holes 20 formed in the structure17; after passing through the structure 17, the end of the stems of thescrews 19 that protrude from the structure 17, on the opposite side withrespect to the component 1, engage corresponding fixing nuts 21.

[0037] Each slot 18 comprises a central contoured eye 22 through whichthe heads of the screws 19 are inserted one at a time; the eye 22 isconnected to two slits 23 that act as a guide for the sliding of thescrews 19 along the slot 18.

[0038] The slits 23 are open upward, both originate from the eye 22,from which they protrude in mutually opposite directions, and end at themutually opposite ends with respective rounded surfaces 24 for limitingthe sliding of the screws 19.

[0039] If the screws 19 are of the hexagonal head type, the eye 22 isadvantageously shaped so as to form the perimeter of an incompletehexagon (interrupted at the slits 23) in order to allow the free passageof said heads.

[0040] At the upper edge of each slit 23 there is provided acentripetally protruding rim 25 that acts as a means for locking theheads of the screws 19 slidingly inserted in the slit 23; the rim 25 isin fact suitable to prevent, by contrast with the heads of the screws19, the escape of said screws substantially at right angles to theirsliding along the slots 18.

[0041] On the bottom of each slot 18 there is also provided a surfacefor the resting of the heads of the screws 19 inserted therein; saidsurface is constituted by a longitudinal ridge 26 having a specificthickness.

[0042] The ridge 26 and the rim 25 form planes that are substantiallyparallel and separated one another by a distance that is at least equalto the vertical thickness of the heads of the screws 19: the heads ofthe screws 19 slide inside the slits 23 in the space formed between therespective ridges 26 and the respective rims 25, while the initialportions of the stems of the screws 19 slide in the guides delimited bythe rims 25.

[0043] The sliding of the two screws 19, inserted in a slot 18,respectively along the two slits 23 allows to adjust the relativeposition of said screws 19.

[0044] The slots 18 are connected by stiffening ridges 27 separated bylightening regions 28.

[0045] Conveniently, the slots 18 are formed at two adjacent lobes 14and are connected to the respective holes 15; the two remaining lobes 14have, at their mutually opposite ends, respective centering elements 29for the sleeves 11 and 12.

[0046]FIG. 6 illustrates the body 2 of a component according to theinvention, such as a filter.

[0047] On the outer side wall of the body 2 there are provided couplingmeans 16, constituted by two slots 18 that are arranged at right anglesto each other so as to form a T-like shape and are connected one anotherat the eye 22 that is common to both slots; the slot 18 that correspondsto the stem of the T-like shape is provided with a single end slit 23.

[0048] Advantageously, on the inner side walls of the slits 23 there isprovided a recess 30 for the insertion of washers, which are fitted onthe stems of the screws 19 and are interposed between the inserted headsof the screws 19 and the rims 25 to allow correct distribution of thefixing pressures.

[0049] Conveniently, the eye 22 forms an opening whose dimensions allowthe insertion of the heads of the screws 19 and of the correspondingwashers, while the ridges 26 are mutually connected to as to form acontinuous resting surface for the inserted heads of the screws 19.

[0050] The operation of the invention is as follows.

[0051] In order to fix the component 1 (FIG. 1) to any supportingstructure 17, it is sufficient to insert in each slot 18, through therespective eye 22, the heads of two screws 19, one after the other, andto slide the inserted heads of the two screws 19 respectively along thetwo slits 23 in order to adjust the center distance between therespective stems; the escape of the screws 19 at right angles to theirsliding is prevented by the rims 25.

[0052] It is then necessary to insert the stems of the screws 19 in thethrough holes 20 of the structure 17 and lock them with the nuts 21.

[0053] In practice it has been found that the described inventionachieves the intended aim and objects, i.e. to provide an auxiliarycomponent 1 for piping that can be easily anchored to supportingstructures 17 and allows to simplify, facilitate and speed up fixingoperations performed by users.

[0054] The component 1 is in fact provided with coupling means 16 formedmonolithically with its body 2, so that users only have to insert thescrew means 19 but do not have to provide auxiliary coupling plates orprovide holes or coupling points on the body 2.

[0055] Moreover, it is observed that the component 1 has a functionalityand tightness that cannot be altered by the fixing operations performedby users, since it does not need to be subjected to any adaptation.

[0056] Finally, the component 1 allows to use coupling points or holesthat are already present on the supporting structures 17 and acts as asupporting element for both flexible and rigid piping.

[0057] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerousmodifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of theappended claims.

[0058] All the details may further be replaced with other technicallyequivalent ones.

[0059] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and thedimensions, may be any according to requirements without therebyabandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

[0060] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MO2000A000237from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory component for piping, such as avalve, filter or the like, of the type that comprises a hollow body thatcan be connected to sections of piping, wherein means for coupling saidcomponent to a supporting structure are formed on at least one outerwall of said body.
 2. The component according to claim 1, wherein saidcoupling means comprise at least one elongated slot in which it ispossible to insert, so that it can slide along the slot, one end ofscrew means whose opposite end is adapted to be fixed to said supportingstructure, said slot being provided with means for locking said one endwhich are adapted to prevent escape of said one end substantially atright angles to said sliding.
 3. The component according to claim 2,wherein said one end, which is to be inserted in said slot, isconstituted by a head of said screw means, a respective stem of saidscrew means being adapted to be fixed to said supporting structure. 4.The component according to claim 3, wherein said slot comprises acontoured eye for the insertion of said head, from which at least oneslit for guiding said sliding originates, said eye being connected tosaid at least one slit.
 5. The component according to claim 4, whereinsaid locking means are constituted by a rim formed so as to protrudecentripetally at an upper edge of said at least one slit, said rimdelimiting a guide for the sliding of said stem.
 6. The componentaccording to claim 3, wherein on a bottom of said slot there is provideda surface for the resting of the head of said screw means.
 7. Thecomponent according to claim 6, wherein said resting surface and saidrim are formed on planes that are substantially parallel one another, adistance between said resting surface and said rim being at least equalto a vertical thickness of said head.
 8. The component according toclaim 4, wherein said slot comprises a recess formed in an internal sidewalls thereof for the insertion of at least one washer inserted in thestem of said screw means and interposed between said inserted head andsaid rim.
 9. The component according to claim 4, wherein said eye isformed substantially at a center of said slot and in that said slits aretwo and protrude on opposite sides starting from said eye, the heads ofat least two of said screw means being successively insertable in saideye, said screw means being respectively able to slide in said two slotsso as to determine a center distance between the respective fixingstems.
 10. The component according to claim 2, wherein opposite ends ofsaid slot are rounded and are adapted to form surfaces for limiting thesliding of said screw means.
 11. The component according to claim 2,wherein said slots are two and are arranged mutually side by side andsubstantially parallel to each other.
 12. The component according toclaim 2, wherein said slots are two and are arranged substantially atright angles to each other.